1
: something (such as a part of a sleeve or glove) encircling the wrist
2
: the turned-back hem of a trouser leg
3
a
: handcuff
—usually used in plural
b
: a usually wide metal band worn as a bracelet
4
: an inflatable band that is wrapped around an extremity to control the flow of blood through the part when recording blood pressure with a sphygmomanometer
Synonyms
Noun (1)
- bang
- bash
- bat
- beat
- belt
- biff
- blow
- bop
- box
- buffet
- bust
- chop
- clap
- clip
- clout
- crack
- dab
- douse [British]
- fillip
- hack
- haymaker
- hit
- hook
- knock
- larrup [dialect]
- lash
- lick
- pelt
- pick
- plump
- poke
- pound
- punch
- rap
- slam
- slap
- slug
- smack
- smash
- sock
- spank
- stinger
- stripe
- stroke
- swat
- swipe
- switch
- thud
- thump
- thwack
- wallop
- welt
- whack
- wham
- whop
- whap
Noun (2)
Examples of cuff in a Sentence
Noun (1)
the mama cat would give her kittens a cuff with a paw whenever they played too rough
Noun (2)
the policeman snapped the cuffs on and led the prisoner away to the car
Recent Examples on the Web
Julia Teti, WWD, 16 Oct. 2024
The online-only brand quickly gained an ardent following for its fresh take on shirting: a juxtaposition of traditional men’s tailoring with a decidedly feminine perspective that results in button-front styles with details such as cocktail cuffs, cutaway collars, and puffed sleeves.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 12 Oct. 2024
Miguel Torres, The Arizona Republic, 12 Oct. 2024
Body camera footage of the arrest viewed by PEOPLE shows a brief standoff before deputies pulled South out of his vehicle and cuffed him on the ground.
—Liam Quinn, People.com, 11 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for cuff 
Noun
Gold buttons were fastened to the cuffs of the blazer, which Berry used as inspiration for the rest of her accessories.
—Julia Teti, WWD, 16 Oct. 2024
The online-only brand quickly gained an ardent following for its fresh take on shirting: a juxtaposition of traditional men’s tailoring with a decidedly feminine perspective that results in button-front styles with details such as cocktail cuffs, cutaway collars, and puffed sleeves.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 12 Oct. 2024
Verb
After a minute of struggling on the ground, which included a dozen closed-fist strikes and four deployments of the Taser, Harris and Sue manage to cuff McAlpin.
—Miguel Torres, The Arizona Republic, 12 Oct. 2024
Body camera footage of the arrest viewed by PEOPLE shows a brief standoff before deputies pulled South out of his vehicle and cuffed him on the ground.
—Liam Quinn, People.com, 11 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for cuff
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cuff.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near cuff
Cite this Entry
“Cuff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cuff. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cuff
1 of 3 noun1
: a part of a sleeve or glove that goes around the wrist
2
: the turned-back hem of a trouser leg
3
: a band that is capable of being inflated and is wrapped around an arm or leg to control the flow of blood through the part when measuring blood pressure
cuff
2 of 3 verb
: to strike with or as if with the palm of the hand
cuff
3 of 3 noun
: a blow with the hand especially when open : slap
Medical Definition
cuff
noun1
: an inflatable band that is wrapped around an extremity to control the flow of blood through the part when recording blood pressure with a sphygmomanometer
2
: an anatomical structure shaped like a cuff
especially
: rotator cuff
repair of complete shoulder cuff avulsion —Physicians' Current Procedural Terminology
Physicians' Current Procedural Terminology Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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